2016: Marriott Goes Big, Hotels Re-Think Channel Strategies

Travel budgets are rising in 2016 and capital is flowing
into the travel industry. Startups weren’t winning as much of that money as in 2015,
but Warren Buffet himself returned to travel industry investment in 2016,
taking positions with American, Delta and United. Hotels were looking at an
influx as well. Chinese investment firm HNA Group took a 25 percent stake in
Hilton Hotels Worldwide that year. And there was a big commotion from Anbang
Group when it upset the applecart of what looked like it would be a smooth
Marriott acquisition of Starwood that year. Ultimately, Marriott prevailed, but
not before having to raise its bid to $13 billion.

Accor acquired Hong Kong-based Fairmont Raffles Hotels international
and there were smaller…